MaccPRIDE Annual Event

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Why are we having a Pride event?

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The first MaccPride event and the early work of the Macclesfield Pride charity is already bringing about change in our town! The overwhelming support that we received when we took part in the Barnaby Parade, the willingness of local businesses to promote the event and contribute prizes and donations, the conversations that have been had on street corners, in workplaces and in schools…all these positive results are things that some of us who have been around a while, thought might never happen. Several smaller towns have hosted their first Prides this year. For locals, it’s a chance to assert that they don’t need to leave their community to be themselves.

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We aim to educate and inform, as ignorance or lack of understanding are often the biggest barriers to unity and equality; people are suspicious and fearful of what they do not understand, which often leads to negative reactions. Many of us have found that once our neighbours or colleagues see that who we love or how we express ourselves doesn’t make us any different from anybody else, acceptance and understanding soon follow.

We are also holding a Pride event to stand with the LGBT+ community internationally, many of whom do not have the rights and privileges that we have here.

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Same sex couples can marry now in all of the U.K except Northern Ireland, where the battle for equal rights continues.

Even though some laws have changed to make life for LGBT people better, that doesn’t mean that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia have been wiped out. In fact, in 2015 homophobic crimes in London rose by almost a third.

Last year 75,000 young people in the U.K. were bullied for being LGBT+.

23 percent of lesbian, gay and bi young people have attempted suicide.

For trans young people that figure goes up to 48 percent.

Being in a relationship with someone of the same sex is illegal in 72 countries, and you could be put to death for it in eight.

Each year, one in twelve trans people in Europe experience a violent hate crime.